Prince Andrew 'raises eyebrows' with request for jury trial

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Prince Andrew has retreated from public life indefinitely while he fights the ongoing case brought against him by Virginia Guiffre in the USA. But there is one controversial role he still has that could see him even stand-in for the Queen if certain events unfold.

The case, which the prince attempted to have thrown out in January, has hit headlines across the world and forced the prince to give up all of his military titles and royal patronages.

Ms Guiffre accuses the Duke of York of sexually assaulting her when she was 17 – a minor under US law – in a civil case in New York.

She alleges she suffered “sexual assault and battery” at the hands of the duke on three occasions when she was a teenager and that she was trafficked by Mr Epstein and his recently convicted associate, Ghislaine Maxwell.

The Duke of York continues to deny all allegations against him.

READ MORE: Prince Andrew lashed out at a gardener after being served legal writ

The scandal has led to the prince retreating from public life and removing many of his associations and titles, at least certainly while legal proceedings are in action and likely permanently due to the public outrage caused.

The duke has clung on to his HRH entitlement – but will no longer use it in public.

A statement from Buckingham Palace outlined: “With the Queen’s approval and agreement, the Duke of York’s military affiliations and royal patronages have been returned to the Queen.

“The Duke of York will continue not to undertake any public duties and is defending this case as a private citizen.”

While it may seem like it’s game over for Prince Andrew in terms of his royal duties, there is one that he will still step into when the time comes.

Prince Andrew is still able to stand in for the Queen as Head of State should she be taken ill, despite being stripped of his royal duties and military titles last week.

He is one of four Counsellors of State who can be appointed on a temporary basis to act on behalf of the monarch.

As a Counsellor of State, Prince Andrew could be authorised to carry out most of the official duties of the monarch should she be incapacitated.

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These include attending Privy Council meetings, signing certain documents and receiving new ambassadors to the UK.

It’s also likely the prince will remain a Counsellor of State when his elder brother Prince Charles becomes king.

Sources at Buckingham Palace have said there is little they can do about his position as a Counsellor of State.

By law, those who can deputise for the monarch include his or her spouse plus the next four people in the line of succession who above the age of 21.

The Duke of York is ninth in line to the throne – but counting only those who are 21 or older – it means Andrew remains eligible.

As the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge’s three children – Prince George, Princess Charlotte, and Prince Prince Louis – are not of age, they do not yet qualify for the role.

It is the same case for Archie and Lilibet – Prince Harry and Meghan Markle’s two young children, who are seventh and eighth in line to the throne, respectively.

The current counsellors of state are Prince Charles, Prince William, Prince Harry and Prince Andrew.

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